Saudi Crown Prince, Egyptian President Discuss Developments, Security of Navigation

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, holds talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo - SPA
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, holds talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo - SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince, Egyptian President Discuss Developments, Security of Navigation

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, holds talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo - SPA
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, holds talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held talks in Cairo on Tuesday on bilateral relations, as well as developments in the region and issues related to Middle East security and stability, leading with marine navigation and freedom. 

Crown Prince Mohammed had arrived in Egypt earlier on Tuesday on a working visit. He held a bilateral meeting with Sisi and an expanded session of talks. 

They discussed the strategic bilateral ties between their countries and means to develop and bolster them in various fields. They also tackled issues of common interest on the Arab and Islamic scenes, as well as regional developments. 

After his departure, Crown Prince Mohammed sent a cable to Sisi, saying the visit and talks underscore the strength of fraternal relations between Riyadh and Cairo and the joint desire to develop cooperation in all areas. 

It also reflects a will to continue coordination and consultations of issues on mutual interest under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Sisi. 

Official Spokesperson for the Egyptian Presidency Mohamed El-Shennawy said Crown Prince Mohammed and Sisi were in agreement that the security of Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries was indivisible from that of Egypt’s. 

He stressed Cairo’s complete condemnation of any attacks that harm the Kingdoms sovereignty and stability and that threaten freedom of navigation in international marine waterways. 

He said the circumstances in the region demand more solidarity and coordination between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, adding that their interests and goals “were one” and that they were in “absolute agreement.” 

The Crown Prince’s visit underscores the solidarity and fraternity between Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries, he remarked. 

Observers told Asharq Al-Awsat that Red Sea security and means to secure international navigation were key aspects of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, especially amid the developments in the region and threats to global supply chains. 

Saudi Arabia and Egypt had signed in September 2025 a cooperation protocol to support marine security within efforts to bolster military cooperation between their navies. 

International and regional affairs researcher Hani al-Gamal said the visit took place amid heightened tensions in the region and threats to Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait security. 

He noted the ongoing crises in Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, Syria and others. 

Al-Gamal outlined three primary considerations for the visit: first, the changing nature of threats in the region as they begin to affect the security of maritime corridors, supply chains, energy, and international trade. Second, by virtue of the capabilities of both countries, coordination becomes "a necessity to protect Arab interests." 

As for the third consideration, al-Gamal said that the visit carries a message that relations are not limited to official communications or coordination, but are rather based on a strategic partnership that requires continuous updating in light of new developments. 



12 Killed, 309 Injured in Attack on Riyadh Airport; Coalition Vows Response

A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh
A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh
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12 Killed, 309 Injured in Attack on Riyadh Airport; Coalition Vows Response

A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh
A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority said on Saturday that an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed 12 people and injured 309 others of various nationalities, while the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen reported a projectile landing near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

The Coalition said in a statement that operations at Riyadh airport had been temporarily suspended pending a damage assessment and safety checks in coordination with the relevant authorities.

It said the 12 people killed included four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshi residents, and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.

Brig. Gen. Turki al-Malki, spokesman for the coalition supporting Yemen's internationally recognized government, said a projectile had landed near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. He also said a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi militia had been intercepted and destroyed in Al-Kharj province, while a drone had been destroyed in the Eastern Province.

Malki said the attack on a passenger terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh amounted to a fully-fledged war crime under international humanitarian law, adding that the coalition's joint command would respond to the attack.


UK Defense Minister: Houthi Attack on Riyadh Airport 'Dangerous Escalation' and 'Contemptible'

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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UK Defense Minister: Houthi Attack on Riyadh Airport 'Dangerous Escalation' and 'Contemptible'

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

UK Defense Minister Wes Streeting on Sunday condemned Saturday's deadly Houthi attack on Riyadh's airport as a "dangerous escalation" and "contemptible".

"What we've seen overnight is a dangerous escalation and I'm afraid an increasing pattern of behavior from the Houthis that's targeting civilian sites in Saudi Arabia," he told Sky News.

"This is completely contemptible action and it's one of the reasons why the UK is providing support to Saudi Arabia in the form of air defenses, but also air-to-air refueling," he said.

"We want to see an end to this conflict. It cannot be right that the Houthis are attacking civilian targets in this way," he added.


Crowds Attend Funeral of Saudi Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami in Jeddah

Crowds of condolences comfort the family of Captain Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Salhiyah cemetery (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Crowds of condolences comfort the family of Captain Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Salhiyah cemetery (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Crowds Attend Funeral of Saudi Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami in Jeddah

Crowds of condolences comfort the family of Captain Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Salhiyah cemetery (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Crowds of condolences comfort the family of Captain Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Salhiyah cemetery (Asharq Al-Awsat)

A large crowd attended funeral prayers for Captain Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Guraigri Mosque in Jeddah on Saturday afternoon before his body was laid to rest at Al-Salhiyah Cemetery in the northeastern part of the city.

Relatives, friends, colleagues from Saudia Airlines, aviation sector workers and members of the public attended the funeral.

Mourners began arriving early to offer condolences to the family of Alkalthami, who was killed in an attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday.

His death prompted an outpouring of grief across Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector, with colleagues paying tribute in person and on social media, remembering his good character, warm smile and strong professional relationships throughout his career.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Khaled Salmeen Bahashwan, who worked with Alkalthami for more than 22 years at Saudia Airlines, remembered him as a kind, cheerful and compassionate colleague whose sincere smile and exemplary character left a lasting impression. He praised Alkalthami’s devotion to his wife and two daughters, his loyalty to colleagues and his willingness to support others, saying his many admirable qualities were difficult to capture in words.

Saudia mourned Captain Alkalthami, honoring his service and expressing condolences to his family and colleagues.

The airline also confirmed that an aircraft was damaged while parked on the airport tarmac, with no passengers on board. It said emergency procedures were immediately activated in coordination with the relevant authorities to assist those affected and provide support to their families.